Fourragere

/ˌfʊrəˈʒɛr/ noun

Definition

A military decoration or award consisting of a cord or braid worn on the uniform, awarded to a military unit for bravery or distinguished service.

Etymology

From French fourragère, literally meaning 'forage basket' or 'forage cord,' extended to mean a military award. The term comes from the practice of displaying honors as cord decorations, particularly in French and later NATO militaries.

Kelly Says

A fourragère is worn around the shoulder and was considered such a prestigious unit decoration that entire regiments could be awarded one for extraordinary valor—when a whole unit earned it, individual soldiers could wear it, making it a visual marker of having served in a heroically distinguished unit.

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